BRENDAN RODGERS believes the time to judge his Liverpool FC side will not come until the last two months of the season.

The Reds have been dogged by inconsistency so far this term but the manager expects to see an improvement between now and May.

“This is a period of time where you have to keep your head down and work hard and give the players every chance to perform,” he said.

“The second half of the season, and in particular the last 10 games, I believe you are working to because that is the business end when things are decided.

“When you arrive at that period you want to get yourself in a good position to challenge, whether that is in the league or cup competitions.

“We can still achieve our objectives this season so when you can do that going into the second part of the season it gives you real hope.

“I love the expectancy and challenge of making this great club great again. I believe as we grow and work more together we will improve.”

Rodgers will return to the dug-out for tonight’s home clash with Sunderland having missed Sunday’s 3-0 win at Queens Park Rangers with a virus.

Liverpool are confident they have been successful in limiting any potential spread of the bug which also affected head of performance Glen Driscoll, assistant boss Colin Pascoe, keeper Brad Jones and midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Rodgers has already secured a £12million deal for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge and hopes to do further business this month with Tom Ince expected to arrive from Blackpool.

The Reds manager says January is a tough time to do business but he’s happy with the backing he’s getting from owners Fenway Sports Group.

“Even if managers have a player they think they might lose, they don’t want to lose him in January, they at least want to get him through to the end of the season,” he said. “The support the club will give us will be excellent. The owners have been great and I have no complaints in terms of where we are as a club at this time.”